As we kick off National Infertility Awareness Week I will always be proud to stand tall and share my story with others. I am 1 in 8 and I have a story like you. I might not be in the trenches like most are today struggling with the day to day of treatments but I've been there and know that it's hard. I was that girl sitting in the silent, lonely waiting room wondering what your story was. It is a journey like no other and nobody can truly understand unless they've been there. Somehow we find some sort of comfort from others when we share our stories whether you've been down that road or you are currently traveling it. Fear is always present when that moment we decide to open up to someone. Relief sets in when someone shares that they are struggling with the same thing or struggled to conceive. Confidence takes over when you are not judged when sharing your story and you feel more compelled to open up next time.

From trying naturally to IUI, IVF and a late pregnancy loss to the birth of a child it's been over 15 years since my journey began. I am truly grateful to have a 9 year old to celebrate motherhood and my journey. Not everyone has an outcome like I did, all outcomes are different but we can all relate and support each other along the way.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE, talk to someone, share your story and have them LISTEN!! It's hard to find someone to listen. Most times they just want to offer advice, or share crazy comments or try to fix you, take that as it comes and move forward.

During #NIAW (April 23-April 29th) share your story, listen to others and take a stand to be part of something more than infertility, take a stand for you!!! For more information about Resolve's NIAW visit their website.

The definition of infertility is the inability for a couple to conceive a child after 12 consecutive months of unprotected sex and without the use of birth control. In a case where the woman is 35 years of age or older, the time frame is six months.

It is estimated that 12 percent of all couples in the United States have infertility issues, and as many as 90 percent of reported cases of infertility are treated using some sort of medication. When a couple is unable to conceive, there are alternatives to consider, but the choice lies with what works for the couple’s situation.

Getting The Process StartedAccording to the Centers for Disease Control, infertility testing begins with a discussion with a doctor about each partner's sexual history, a semen sample, and ovarian reserve testing. The issue can sometimes be isolated to the male or the female, but in many cases it can be difficult to determine the cause of infertility. When the medical opinions are in place and the testing is done, it is time to consider options.

Male Infertility When it comes to handling male infertility issues, the primary type of doctor involved is a urologist. There are some surgical options available in the event that there is some sort of physical ailment that is causing the issue.One of the more common solutions used for male infertility is in vitro fertilization. The general concept behind in vitro fertilization is that mature eggs are fertilized in a controlled setting by sperm. The ideal situation uses eggs and sperm from each partner, but donors are often used in some situations.

Female InfertilityIf there is a case of female infertility, then there is a list of medications that doctors often turn to for help with couples struggling to conceive. Some of those medications include:

Clomid - This is oral medication that encourages ovulation through the pituitary gland.

Human menopausal gonadotropin - This medication works directly on the ovaries and attempts to encourage ovulation.

Metformin - This drug is used to combat the presence of a higher than normal level of male hormones in the female body.

Unexplained InfertilityCouples that experience unexplained infertility also have options that have shown a level of success. Some of those methods are:

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) - This is also referred to as artificial insemination and it is the process of fertilizing an egg in the uterus by injecting semen using surgical equipment.

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) - This is the name for the genre of procedures that are similar to in vitro fertilization and involve the fertilization of an egg outside the female body. Other examples of ART include zygote intrafallopian transfer (the embryo is inserted into the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus), gamete intrafallopian transfer (a risky form of ART that fertilizes the egg inside the female body), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (one single sperm is used to fertilize an egg).

​AdoptionAdoption is an option for couples who are struggling to conceive, but there are several considerations that go along with this option. CNN ran a very comprehensive piece that outlines the pros and cons of adoption. Along with the benefits that include raising a child and helping a child in need, there are obstacles that couples need to consider. Adoption can be expensive and cost as much as $30,000 for private agencies. Many couples have a difficult time affording some of the infertility options that are available, and adoption can be put in the category of high-priced solutions.

Even with organizations and countries that offer free adoption services, there are obstacles to overcome. Many couples tend not to have a preference of the type of child they get in adoption, but others may have a preference in mind and that can create problems.

Another point to consider with adoption is the long waiting periods that go with trying to use free or government sponsored methods. It can take years to get off a waiting list, and many couples do not want to wait that long.

Infertility can be difficult to deal with, however, couples that are experiencing infertility problems can look at different options towards having children. Adoption can be a difficult emotional process, but it offers a way to bring a new life into your family. If adoption is not your choice, then there are still many options you can discuss with your doctor to help conceive a child.

Author Bio:Michael Monheit, Esq is the managing partner for Monheit Law and a sponsor of the website ZofranLegal.com. He has over 20 years of experience as an attorney and has been involved in numerous mass tort pharmaceutical and medical device cases.

The information above was provided by Michael Monheit, Esq. and does not necessarily represent the official views of the owner of this site. I support the fertility community and overall health and wellness for men and women. Sharing guest posts and information about resources on my blog are to support the cause of infertility and to continue to raise awareness while sharing tips and resources to my readers. All posts to my site are for informational purposes only.

If you’ve been told that you are not likely to produce a successful pregnancy using your own eggs, you may be feeling overwhelmed right now. While it’s a difficult situation to find yourself in, the good news is that modern fertility technology has never been better. If you’re exploring the idea of using donor eggs, you probably have a lot of questions. From the cost of donor eggs to the success rate, fresh eggs as opposed to frozen - there are many factors to consider.

CostWhile it’s true that having a child of your own is something you can’t put a price tag on; the high cost of using fresh donor eggs (upwards of $28,000) can be daunting. If finances are preventing you from fulfilling your dream, you now have an alternative. Frozen donor eggs cost about half the price of fresh samples, and some companies even offer financing or a full refund package if the process doesn’t work after a certain amount of tries.

VarietyUsing fresh eggs means you’ll need to find a local donor within your region. What does this really mean? That you’ll have a smaller donor pool to choose from and possible availability issues, as well. If it’s important to you that your child has physical traits similar to your own, frozen donor egg banks provide you nationwide samples with more options to find a donor who shares your hair color, eye color, size, and stature. Simply put, you’ll have a wider variety of donors to choose from when using frozen eggs.

Cycle Synchronization If you decide to use fresh donor eggs, your cycle will need to be synchronized with that of the donor’s. This can mean high amounts of medication and some delays in getting the two of you synched up. With frozen eggs, however, this is no longer an issue, as the eggs can be thawed, fertilized, and transferred immediately to your uterus as soon as you’re ready.

Success RateWhile fresh donor eggs still have a slightly higher success rate than frozen donor eggs, advanced technology is working to close the gap and make the two equal options for success. New methods of flash freezing and technological advances in thawing protocols mean that frozen egg viability and survival rates are now continually improving.

Preparing for Egg DonationDeciding to have a child is a huge decision for any couple, and especially when donor eggs are involved, you’ll need to make sure that both of you are on the same page emotionally. Some couples may find it helpful to consult with a therapist or counselor regarding the psychological impact that using a donor egg may have on either party.Physically, if you’re using fresh donor eggs, the preparation will be more extensive due to cycle synchronization, but if you decide on using frozen eggs, you could start as soon as your next period. Whatever you decide on, prepare yourself for the most important chapter in your life so far; becoming a Mom.

The information above was provided by Donor Egg Bank USA and does not necessarily represent the official views of the owner of this site. I support the fertility community and overall health and wellness. Sharing guest posts and information about resources on my blog are to support the cause of infertility and to continue to raise awareness while sharing tips and resources to my readers.All posts to my site are for informational purposes only.

As we close out National Infertility Awareness 2016 I leave you with a familiar quote that I'm sure so many people struggling with infertility have said or heard throughout their journey. Don't ever forget that you are not alone as you might think when you hit your most difficult times. There is someone out there that understands how you are feeling.

This past week I was invited to join in a Blab Conversation to talk about infertility with Griffin Jones, and some great fellow advocates, Candace Wohl and Angela Bergamann. Listen in to our open conversation about infertility and read the blog post, 24 Things You Would Never Know About Infertility Until You #StartAsking by Griffin Jones. We touched on our personal experiences, awareness, infertility and families and advocacy.

Even though this marks the end of another infertility awareness week it doesn't mean the conversation needs to end. Make your voice be heard and support someone with infertility.

We are half way through National Infertility Awareness Week and I am sharing along another bit of inspiration for those of you that have been through the journey or know someone who is embarking on the journey of infertility.

Things have changed so much since I sat in that Doctor's office among so many. I remember the blank, nervous stare hoping someone would talk to me because I would hope they would be feeling as I felt. The setting was always QUIET!! Now we are more open about our experiences and stories which makes supporting others through our conversations. We all have had different experiences but if we relate and not compare it helps us get through!

National Infertility Awareness Week runs from April 24th-April 30th 2016. Each year as the awareness week approaches there are many events that are planned to continue the conversation on infertility. Check out my past years involvement. This year I decided to create different infographics to share my messages of inspiration along social media. The more we share our stories the more awareness will be raised for the disease of infertility.

There are so many others that share one voice the voice for infertility. I hope the creative minds are out and ready to share their stories with the hopes of inspiring others to share their story.

This year's theme is #Startasking. Resolve, the National Infertility Association started National Infertility Awareness Week and each year the themes are fitting to how the conversation of infertility progresses. There are so many questions that people ask and sometimes the answers are NOT there. The more questions we ask the more awareness and conversation surrounds infertility. Read more on the campaign and find out how to get involved. WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION? #Startasking

Stay posted for my infographics during the week of Infertility Awareness!!! Feel free to share and #startasking your questions!

On April 1st better known as April Fools most people plan jokes that truly make people laugh but others find a way to play sick jokes coming up with some master plan of announcing a pregnancy that is NOT true. It is hurtful and not funny especially when you're struggling to conceive or have had fertility problems in the past.

With Facebook and other social networks readily availalbe for posting its hard to ignore pregnancy announcements on a regular day but when you start seeing them hit up on your newsfeed on April Fools Day you just have to turn it off, shake your head and ask yourself WHY?

I am sharing this information along for a colleague of mine. There have been so many great things said about this training from others that attended. "This training exceeded my wildest expectations." By AP

Read more below and feel free to share along with your followers. ​

If you are a health professional, please consider attending my next two day mind/body training which is coming up again on Thursday and Friday, May 12th and 13th.

Why? While this workshop is geared for your clients who may be in the throes of an agonizing fertility quest, what you will learn has broad application for your clients who are dealing with inordinate stress of any origin.

Even more reasons:

You will earn 13 (New York State approved) CEUs.

The reasonable fee of $795.00 comes with lunch both days, my book, On Fertile Ground: Healing Infertility, my stress reduction audio program,Breathing in the Now, and a comprehensive summary of the program consisting of over 200 pages of information and instructions.

A chance to cross-pollinate with 9 other professionals who, in the past, have attended from around the country and around the world.

This is a largely experiential training and therefore very practical. You will not only experience a wide array of mind/body interventions, you will come to understand why these techniques work based on the way our brains are wired. For a complete list of topics and more information, please click this link where you will also be able to watch an introductory video to what the training has in store for you:

This training takes places on Thursday & Friday, May 12th & 13thAt 420 East 64th Street - E1C - New York City9 AM to 5 PM both daysYou can register at the above link or you can call me at 212-758-90125

Feel free to help spread the word to anyone who you think would benefit from this workshop.

SAMPLE TWEETIf you are a fertility professional, you should check out this awesome Mind/Body Stress-Reduction Training/Helen Adrienne. She can help you build a toolbox of great resources for your patients. CEU approved. http://conta.cc/1Upvuhm

In honor of Endometriosis Month I wanted to be able to continue the conversation for those women who suffer with the disease by highlighting a story from Could Be Bitter with their feature on Heather C. Clayton Terry. With Women's health and infertility it is not out of the ordinary that you meet others online that turn into your "Virtual Friends". Heather Terry is just that and helping her share her story with others while raising awareness for endometriosis and her struggle with infertility is something I feel strongly about. Read more on her and her story below:​​

Heather C. Clayton Terry, M.P.A. is a first generation college graduate. She joined the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women in January 2012 at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and is the Associate Director for Women in Science and Engineering. A native Clevelander, Heather previously acted as Project Manager for the Self-Management Advancement through Research and Translation (SMART) Center a National Institutes of Health federally funded grant designed to improve health outcomes and quality of life for individuals with acute and chronic illness at CWRU.

For over twenty years, Heather struggled with intense abdominal pain. It wasn’t until 2014, during a surgery to remove a belly button hernia, that doctors discovered she had endometriosis. While she was relieved to finally have a diagnosis for the pain she had suffered through, she was upset that it had taken so long to be diagnosed. During her suffering, numerous physicians prescribed new painkillers but never encouraged her to participate in any pro-active solutions to heal her body.

Through Heather’s journey she learned that endometriosis affects an estimated 1 in 10 women. Living with endometriosis hasn’t been easy and has caused many problems for her. For years she would suffer from so much pain that it would be difficult to move, go to work, or attend events. To manage the pain, she now gets weekly acupuncture treatments and takes Chinese herbs but her pain management comes with a hefty price tag because Chinese medicine is not covered by most insurance providers.

God dealt Heather a hand but she lives in it. She is thankful to God that she is living! While endometriosis has gotten in the way of numerous things, she is committed to being the best Heather she can be and living life to the fullest. She has a wonderful life and wonderful husband to share it with and that is a blessing.

Not letting endometriosis stop her, Heather has always valued the importance of education and promised her grandmother before her untimely death she would be the first family member to graduate from college. Staying true to her word, she earned an Associate of Arts from Cuyahoga Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a Master degree in Public Administration from Cleveland State University. Heather also earned a graduate Nonprofit Management certificate, an Emotionally Intelligent Leader certificate and a Women in Leadership certificate. She is currently scheduled to earn a Coaching certificate from the Weatherhead School of Management at CWRU in August 2016.​

To read more on the Women's Empowerment Campaigns by Could Be Bitter visit their FACEBOOK page and give them a LIKE!

If this has touched you, made you smile, or would help someone you know, go ahead and LIKE, SHARE, or REPOST but please don't crop. Thank you for Bould Be Bitter for allowing me to post and share this story.

The information above was provided by Could Be Bitter with their permissions. Guest posts do not necessarily represent the official views of the owner of this site. I support the fertility community and all means of family building. I do not represent one specific medical practice or agency. Sharing guest posts, information and resources about organizations on my blog are to support the cause of infertility/women's health issues and to continue to raise awareness . All posts to my site are for informational purposes ​​

Symptoms of Endometriosis The most common cause of Endometriosis is pain. Other symptoms might include:

Pelvic or low back pain that may occur at any time during the menstrual cycle

Lower abdomen pain before and during menstruation

Painful periods

Cramps for a week or two before menstruation and during menstruation; mild to severe cramps

Pain with sexual intercourse; during or following

Bowel movement pain

Symptoms, treatments and outcomes might vary due to the individual. While most women will relate if they have endometriosis, like anything else you should not compare your symptoms, diagnosis and treatment your situation is unique. This will help you stay on track other than thinking that all outcomes are the same. In other cases there may be no symptoms. Some women might experience no pain at all, while some women might have severe pain.

Doctor’s might prescribe Birth control pills to help to prevent or slow down the development of the endometriosis. This sometime’s masks the endometriosis. Lupron is also sometimes prescribed. It acts as a suppression of hormone production and is sometimes used to treat symptoms. Some patients might need pain killers depending on the severity of the pain. Endometriosis is a long lasting illness that in some severe cases your Doctor will recommend surgery. Laparoscopy is also a plan of action in some more severe cases, which removes the endometrial cells through with a few small incisions. This does remove it forever and symptoms can reoccur which might lead to more surgeries.

Join other women during Endometriosis Awareness month by getting the facts and continue to raise awareness for an illness that millions of women live with every day. I stand together with others to fight endometriosis. ​

Author

Fran Meadows is an Author and Infertility Advocate. She shares her story to help other's know they are not alone! Through her personal experiences with infertility her passion is to support and speak out on the disease hoping to make a difference for others!